As a man of color, I find your statistics on the racial makeup of Burning Man a wee-bit daunting, and the fact that there is a camp called MaryKKK, doesn't help the unease. But nonetheless, if I am any indication, things may be changing in the divide. I hope.

I think video 2 or 3 outlines why OhTony (one of my most favorite LA burners) believes that there are not more black people at Burning Man. He's hilarious and did an awesome revival of this show at Mission Control at the beginning of the month (August).

The fact of the matter is that diversity at BM is increasing steadily every year!

I for one am "white." I am a half sephardic half ashkenazic ethnic only Jew. Whatever that means. I think I am just me.

As a man of color, I find your statistics on the racial makeup of Burning Man a wee-bit daunting, and the fact that there is a camp called MaryKKK, doesn't help the unease. But nonetheless, if I am any indication, things may be changing in the divide. I hope.

I plan on steering clear of that camp myself (they have the right to make jokes or social statements, I have the right not to care for their execution) but--if this is your first year--I would like to tell you that I have felt welcome there all 5 years as a burner of color, rare as I have seen myself to be. I feel very similarly to Nate on the subject. Accepted, excited to see other burners of color, and thankfully, that's it.

It seems pretty clear to me that low attendance by folks of color is economic and cultural, and a function of the continuing vague awareness of the event through most of the country (which is fine; )'( doesn't need more attention). If I'm still constantly hearing "What is this 'Burning Man' thing?" from caucasian friends and acquaintances all the time--with caucasian folks already the majority in the city--it makes complete sense that it is not really on the radar for people of color to an even greater degree.

AnyPlace wrote:As a man of color, I find your statistics on the racial makeup of Burning Man a wee-bit daunting, and the fact that there is a camp called MaryKKK, doesn't help the unease. But nonetheless, if I am any indication, things may be changing in the divide. I hope.

I;m guessing that that's some over the top drag queen with a southern bent thing. It could be very funny or it could just be gross and tasteless.
I certainly understand why you might not want to find out. I don't want to force a particular view of that down your throat; I do think that a who lot of what the burn is is on all sorts of cultural thin ice. This may turn out to be a positive thing for you in other cases.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

It doesn't have shit to do with what most people's first impressions suggest.

It doesn't have fuck all to do with bigotry, hatred, racial supremacy, or oppression. Consider for a fucking moment that it might be about flipping concocted, manufactured ideals of beauty and less about victimizing people who don't necessarily fit into the slot of what's perfect and desirable.

MaryKKK is about being held hostage to a corporation's dictating ideal about youth, beauty and what they (and other cosmetic companies) determine as desirable and...worthiness.

Drop me a line when you get tired of pissing on yourselves and looking for a reason to feel outraged - I'll try to get back to you when I return from shopping at Lane Giant.

Isotopia wrote:Consider for a fucking moment that it might be about flipping concocted, manufactured ideals of beauty and less about victimizing people who don't necessarily fit into the slot of what's perfect and desirable.

MaryKKK is about being held hostage to a corporation's dictating ideal about youth, beauty and what they (and other cosmetic companies) determine as desirable and...worthiness.

This is the message that is on EmilyD's amazing art car, VainVan, that will be on the playa for the first time this year. It will be parked at Art Car Camp conveniently located at Detroit and 5:30.

Isotopia wrote:It doesn't have shit to do with what most people's first impressions suggest.

Drop me a line when you get tired of pissing on yourselves and looking for a reason to feel outraged - I'll try to get back to you when I return from shopping at Lane Giant.

You pussies.

it takes them a few years of pissing on themselves, and then again some of them seem to prefer the warm wet feeling.

wondering how many times I have seen this topic over the years, on how many boards?

so confused.

very good points!!
It's amazing, how many people run around just wanting/hoping to be offended, so, they can jump on their soapbox and proclaim their righteous indignation, and, then, spew vitriolic rhetoric proclaimed as sacrosanct and lay guilt on those they feel should have more of it.

Dr. Pyro wrote:Jeese Clar-i-ty, I thought all of us at Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro were Jewish!

Well almost. I was Jewish in my last life.

But thanks for the reminder! I almost forgot the Mazza Ball Soup! Looks like it's gonna be a cold one this year (in the upper 40's at night) and as far as I'm concerned it's the world's most perfect food for cold weather.

Just watching a comedy about a jewish summer camp, called camp Oskemo.
Can't recall a similar film, which seems odd.

I have a friend that is much, much crazier than most of you guys, and he loved the idea of burning man, until we talked about camping.
He just won't do it.
Too smart, maybe.
He claims to be black.
He would really love it though.

Sail Man wrote:Personally I consider myself a mutt. It's a good thing BRC ESD doesn't install fire hydrants or I'd be marking my territory more often. Last year I had to suffice with Ygmir's truck tires

I'm still trying to figure (or maybe deny) what you did to my watermellon............I can't imagine it was merely a core sample.

Sail Man wrote:Personally I consider myself a mutt. It's a good thing BRC ESD doesn't install fire hydrants or I'd be marking my territory more often. Last year I had to suffice with Ygmir's truck tires

I'm still trying to figure (or maybe deny) what you did to my watermellon............I can't imagine it was merely a core sample.

fucking watermelons,,,,, sheeeesh they just don't behave,,,,,,
now bananas are another story,,,,
there must be certain fruits that do not go to BM
WE GOTTA DO SUMPIN' about that!